# PCalc Lite vs RPN Calculator 48

The clearest difference is price: PCalc Lite at Free against RPN Calculator 48's $3.99. PCalc Lite also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and device support (4 vs 1). RPN Calculator 48's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

PCalc Lite is free to download; RPN Calculator 48 costs $3.99 up front. PCalc Lite sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. RPN Calculator 48 asks for nothing beyond the download.

RPN Calculator 48 holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 214 and 246 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of PCalc Lite's written reviews are positive against 96% of RPN Calculator 48's.

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, RPN Calculator 48 every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PCalc Lite | RPN Calculator 48 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (214 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831/reviews) | **[4.8 (246 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-calculator-48/id336580727/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 214 | **246** |
| Positive reviews | 82.5% of reviews | **95.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#196** |
| Size | 79 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TLA Systems Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284666225) | [Tom Kerrigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/295445504) |

## What reviewers say

### PCalc Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pcalc-lite/id300311831)

This free scientific calculator offers essential features like RPN mode, unit conversions, and multiple undo/redo. It provides a taste of a more powerful version, with optional in-app purchases for expanded functionality.

**Highlights:** Optional RPN mode, Multiple undo and redo, Unit conversions and constants, Two stylish themes, Apple Watch app

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Power User Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Multiple Line Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Conversion Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Programmer Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Engineer Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Complete Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Enormous Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface
- 💡 Customizable themes and settings
- 🚀 Efficient performance
- 👍 Useful conversion tools

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional lags and crashes
- 🔒 Lack of dark mode support
- 🔒 Inconsistent icon appearance after upgrades
- 🔒 Limitations in RPN mode on Apple Watch
- 🔒 Lack of financial calculator functions

**Reported bugs**

- Calculations sometimes produce unexpected results
- Upside-down text censorship feature is problematic
- Purchased features not always accessible on Apple Watch

**Requested features**

- Add option to display thousands separators
- Implement a history function to review past calculations
- Provide more customization options for the widget
- Add support for sexagesimal angle input and conversion


### RPN Calculator 48

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rpn-calculator-48/id336580727)

**Currently charting:** #196 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers a scientific calculator with Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) functionality, providing an alternative to the default calculator. It features a large, easy-to-read display, a 100-entry stack, and extensive undo/redo capabilities. Its design is inspired by classic HP calculators.

**Highlights:** Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), Scientific calculator functions, Swipe gestures for undo/redo, 100 entry stack, 6 memory buttons, State saving on exit

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent RPN implementation
- 👍 Familiar and intuitive interface
- 💡 Useful features for everyday calculations
- 🚀 Reliable and stable performance
- 👍 Large and visible stack display

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lack of landscape mode support on iPad
- 💡 Could use more advanced features like matrix operations

**Reported bugs**

- Display issues in landscape mode on iPad

**Requested features**

- Add haptic feedback for key presses
- Implement ability to recall previous calculations from stack
- Improve landscape mode support on iPad


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PCalc Lite free?

PCalc Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is RPN Calculator 48 free?

RPN Calculator 48 costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PCalc Lite or RPN Calculator 48?

RPN Calculator 48 is rated higher. PCalc Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 214 ratings, while RPN Calculator 48 averages 4.8 from 246 ratings.

### Do PCalc Lite or RPN Calculator 48 have ads?

Neither PCalc Lite nor RPN Calculator 48 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PCalc Lite or RPN Calculator 48?

PCalc Lite ships an update every 2 months, and RPN Calculator 48 every 14 months. Most recently, PCalc Lite was updated on October 31, 2026 and RPN Calculator 48 on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*